Description / Table of Contents:
PREFACE There can be little doubt that estuarine, coastal and shelf circulation modeling will
assume increasing importance in the immediate future, as we work through the
implications of industrialization for oceanic systems. These issues will place new
and serious operational demands on available models, and the rapid increase in
computational power we now enjoy makes it possible to respond with detailed
simulations in many categories. As a result, we are witnessing an explosive
growth in the quantity of model-generated information. Lacking, however, is a
concomitant increase in its quality or even in quality control procedures. A single
simulation exercise is easily capable of generating gigabytes of output in a matter
of hours. Most of the data will necessarily go unexamined by its progenitors. Yet
it is highly likely that disks full of simulation output will be used extensively as
learning tools for students and researchers, as criteria for engineering design, as
a basis for operational decision-making, and in the formulation of public policy.
The purpose of this volume is to assemble and present what is known about the
intrinsic quality of simulation output: its "correctness" for various purposes. We
have operated on the twin premises that (1) every simulation has some intrinsic
value and (2) every simulation has serious drawbacks. Between these two
extremes lies a vast gulf of uncertainty and potential error, which must be bridged
in a professional way if modeling is to achieve its potential in the coastal ocean.
This is the basic challenge put to the authors of this volume. Essentially we seek
to describe and consolidate approaches, theories, and practices for extracting
information from models, and to understand the limits of their proper use.
We have focused on quantitative approaches to the problem, from diverse
physical and mathematical perspectives. Rather than pursuing abstract, philosophical
analyses, we have sought contributions reflecting contemporary practice
in government, academic, engineering, and research units where frontier model
development is taking place. In a similar spirit, we have avoided imposing
linguistic norms among authors, which we view as unproductive at this time.
Instead, we have let the authors describe their approaches to this multi-faceted
problem in their own terms, subject only to standards of clarity of expression. We
are especially pleased to have balanced representation from European and North
American authors.
This volume was initially conceived at an informal workshop in Brussels,
convened by our great friend and colleague, the late Bruno M. Jamart. That event
first brought several of the contributing authors together over the skill assessment
theme, and seeded a mutual vision of the present work. Bruno's energy, insight,
integrity, collegiality, and boundless spirit has been an inspiration to all who knew
and worked with him. His untimely death in 1990 represents a great loss which is
deeply and widely felt. In his memory we dedicate this volume, a humble
memorial to a great spirit and friend.
Pages:
Online-Ressource (510 Seiten)
ISBN:
0875902618
URL:
http://www.agu.org/books/ce/v047/ce047.html
Language:
English
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